Peekable User Interface on Portable Electronic Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices in sleep mode or covered by protective cases require cumbersome unlocking processes to access information, making it inconvenient to quickly view essential details like time, messages, or media playback status without fully uncovering the device.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a 'peek' mode that allows partial display activation using sensors and gestures, enabling users to access simplified user interface information without unlocking, such as time or message lists, by detecting input from covering apparatuses or touch contacts, even when the device is partially covered.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the device is placed in sleep mode or covered by a protective case, then power consumption is reduced and the device is protected, but the user cannot access information without removing the cover or performing an unlock gesture
Solution Approach 1:
The display is divided into multiple independently controllable regions. When the device is in sleep mode or covered, only specific segments of the display can be activated to show essential information (time, notifications, media playback status) without requiring the user to fully wake or unlock the device. This segmentation allows selective activation of display areas based on user interaction patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements partial display activation where only portions of the display are turned on rather than the entire screen. This partial action allows users to view essential information with minimal power consumption while maintaining the ability to access more complete information when needed by fully waking or unlocking the device.
2Loss of information
If the entire display is activated to show all information, then the user can access complete information, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display area is segmented into multiple independently controllable regions. The system activates only the necessary segments based on the amount of information that needs to be displayed and the current operational state (locked, unlocked, sleeping). This selective activation reduces power consumption while maintaining information accessibility for essential data.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the display are assigned different functions and activation conditions. Essential information areas (such as time, notifications, media controls) can be activated with minimal power, while other regions remain dormant until full access is required. This local differentiation optimizes the balance between information display and power consumption.
3Reliability
If the device requires full unlocking to access information, then security is maintained, but the interaction process becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a graduated access model where partial display activation provides essential information without requiring full device unlocking. Users can perform simplified gestures (such as lifting the device slightly or partial cover removal) to access basic information, while full security measures remain in place for complete access. This partial action approach reduces interaction complexity while maintaining security boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares and displays essential information in advance in the locked/sleep state, so users can view critical data (time, urgent notifications, media playback status) without needing to unlock the device first. This preliminary display of key information reduces the number of steps required for common interactions while maintaining security for more sensitive operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and portable electronic device (100) are provided that presents a user interface (202) based upon detected touch contact with a touch-sensitive display of the portable electronic device when a portion of the touch-sensitive display is covered by a covering apparatus (112). The information in the user interface is displayed in the uncovered or visible portion of the touch-sensitive display, while detecting the touch contact on the touch-sensitive display. The user of the device can peek at the user interface of the device and does not have to completely uncover or remove the device from the covering apparatus to view particular types of information.